Travels With Randy Podcast Podcast Por Randy Smythe and Kevin Harmon arte de portada

Travels With Randy Podcast

Travels With Randy Podcast

De: Randy Smythe and Kevin Harmon
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Randy Smythe has retired and now spends his time travelling all over the United States, visiting National Parks, baseball stadiums, and this year - ALL of Route 66 Our weekly podcast will follow Randy and get weekly updates on where he's been, what he's seen, and who he's met - as well as sprinkle in some retirement planning advice, income stream ideas, and e-commerce news and discussion with his good friend Kevin "Bubba" Harmon.@2026 Travels With Randy Ciencias Sociales Economía Escritos y Comentarios sobre Viajes Gestión y Liderazgo Liderazgo
Episodios
  • TWR Route 66 Ep 12: Kansas - All 12.8 Miles Of It

    TWR Route 66 Ep 12: Kansas - All 12.8 Miles Of It
    Apr 8 2026
    Travels With Randy Route 66 Episode 12 is here! Kansas - All 12.8 Miles Of It Gas Prices and Supply Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed current gas prices, with Bubba noting prices over $100 in North Carolina to fill his car and speculation about higher prices in California. he explored the impact of the Iran conflict on oil supply, with Bubba sharing insights about oil tanker speeds and the time it takes for supply changes to affect markets. The conversation also covered Route 66 preparations for the summer driving season, with Randy noting improvements in some states' readiness compared to earlier in the year, and he briefly discussed upcoming USPS Route 66 postage stamps. Route 66 Celebration Planning Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed the upcoming Route 66 celebrations in 2026 and 2027, noting the numerous events planned across eight states. he explored opportunities for companies like Coca-Cola and Ford to capitalize on the nostalgia associated with Route 66, suggesting potential partnerships and promotional activities. Randy shared insights about the well-preserved 12.8-mile stretch of Route 66 in Kansas, which was bypassed by Interstate 44 in 1961, and mentioned his personal connection to the state as his birthplace. College Experience and Career Paths Randy shared his college experience, describing how he spent his first year partying and watching TV instead of attending classes, leading to his dismissal from school. He discussed how his brother, who had previously attended the same college, had taken a more responsible approach and later worked at Boeing for 40 years. The conversation concluded with a discussion about how career expectations and job stability have changed across generations, with Bubba and Randy comparing their different career paths and the employment patterns of his children. Route 66 Kansas Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed Route 66 in Kansas, focusing on the small section with three towns: Baxter Springs, Riverton, and Galena. Randy explored the Rainbow Bridge, a historic Marsh arch bridge over Brush Creek, and the significance of Galena as the location where the character "Tater" from Cars was inspired by a real-life person. The conversation also touched on Bubba's potential return to sales and his previous experience working with Linda at the same company in sales roles. Route 66 Kansas History Discussion The discussion focused on Route 66's history in Kansas, where Beth explained that the 12.8-mile stretch through Baxter Springs, Riverton, and Galena was strategically chosen for political reasons rather than being the most direct route. The conversation also covered Randy's ongoing Route 66 road trip, where he discovered he missed many local attractions and dining experiences while focusing primarily on photography. Randy acknowledged he would return in the fall to explore more of the route, including visiting inside venues and experiencing local restaurants that were recommended by the Facebook community following his posts. Route 66 Photography Updates Randy shared updates about his Route 66 photography journey, highlighting his recent visits to Kansas towns including Baxter Springs, Galena, and Riverton. He described notable locations including the Kansas Route 66 Visitor Center, the Rainbow Bridge, and the famous "Tow Tater" at Gearhead Curio in Galena, which was inspired by the Pixar character Mater. Randy recommended that people visiting the central United States take a weekend trip to experience the Kansas section of Route 66, particularly if he're planning a longer Route 66 journey through Missouri, Oklahoma, or Arkansas. Route 66 Road Trip Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed a road trip along the historic Route 66, highlighting the 13-mile paved section in Kansas from 1926 and visiting towns like Joplin, Missouri. he noted the lack of Starbucks but mentioned the presence of Cracker Barrel restaurants along the route. The conversation also touched on Joplin's attractions and its similarities to other tourist destinations, before clarifying that Mark Twain was not connected to Joplin but was associated with Hannibal, Missouri. The discussion ended with a lighthearted exchange about memory and brain usage. Artemis II and AI Discussion Bubba discussed NASA's Artemis II mission to the moon, sharing his enthusiasm for space exploration and the recent lunar photos. he talked about the challenges of taking photos from space, including camera placement issues, and discussed NASA's plans to build a lunar base near potential water sources at the moon's South Pole. The conversation then shifted to AI tools, where he shared his experiences using different AI assistants like Claude, Perplexity, and Manus for various tasks including driving navigation, stock trading, and content creation. The discussion concluded with updates about his Travels with Randy podcast, including plans for upcoming content and potential merchandise. SO. MANY. PHOTOS - Come join the ...
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    1 h y 11 m
  • TWR Route 66 Ep 11: Oklahoma Part 2 - Who Is The Modern Day Will Rogers?

    TWR Route 66 Ep 11: Oklahoma Part 2 - Who Is The Modern Day Will Rogers?
    Mar 31 2026
    Travels With Randy Route 66 Episode 11 is here! Oklahoma Part 2 - Who Is The Modern Day Will Rogers? Route 66 and Round Barns The podcast hosts discussed their travels along Route 66, specifically focusing on Oklahoma and approaching Tulsa. They explored the history of round barns, with Beth explaining that the circular shape was built to withstand tornadoes and provide space for barn dances. The conversation included personal anecdotes about barn dances from Bubba's experience at University of Illinois and a discussion about Sadie Hawkins dances, with the hosts noting they would need to ask Beth about the origin of Sadie Hawkins. Route 66 Oklahoma Landmarks Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed historical landmarks along Route 66 in Oklahoma, including the Arcadia Round Barn, which was built in 1898 for tornado resistance. They explored the history of small towns along the route, including Wellston, which experienced a legal challenge due to a realignment that bypassed the town. Randy noted that while Wellston has a notable dinosaur statue, it is not on the realigned Route 66, and advised travelers not to miss any significant sights by skipping the town. Route 66 Centennial Planning Discussion The discussion focused on Route 66, with participants comparing different states' implementations of Route 66 signage and experiences. They noted Oklahoma's successful coordination through their Historical Society, while Texas was criticized for lacking consistency. The main news shared was that their podcast had received certification from the federal Route 66 Centennial Commission, allowing them to use the official Route 66 shield in their materials. They discussed creating a calendar to showcase the various events planned for Route 66's 100th anniversary and agreed to reach out to local historical societies for event information to share with their community. Photography Planning and Techniques Discussion Randy discussed plans to photograph Chandler and Davenport, mentioning a bowling alley with old gas station logos and plans to take evening shots to capture neon signs. The conversation then shifted to photography techniques, where Randy explained his practice of removing people and power lines from photos to focus on the subject. The discussion concluded with a debate about AI-generated photography and content, with both speakers agreeing that while AI can enhance photos, using it to create misleading content is problematic. Route 66 Travel Journey Discussion The discussion focused on a Route 66 travel journey, with detailed descriptions of stops including Tammy's Roundup Cafe in Davenport and the Rock Cafe in Stroud, which was inspired by the character Sally Carrera from the movie Cars. The conversation highlighted architectural features along Route 66, particularly the Googie style, and included a brief exchange about Art Deco and Streamline Modern design elements. The discussion ended with plans to continue exploring additional Route 66 locations in future episodes. Route 66 Drive-In Theater Discussion Randy discussed Oklahoma's Route 66, highlighting the state's numerous small towns and the challenges of following the original 1926 route, which is often dirt or abandoned. They described visiting a renovated drive-in theater in Sepulpa, which has been updated with Art Deco styling and offers accommodations like Airbnb trailers. Bubba shared his own memories of drive-in theaters, including seeing movies like Six Pack with Kenny Rogers and Herbie the Love Bug, and expressed interest in potentially renovating a drive-in to make it more modern and appealing to younger generations. Route 66 Museum Visit Discussion Randy shared his experience visiting the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sepulpa, Oklahoma, highlighting the town's efforts to preserve its Route 66 history and charm. Sepulpa, with a population of about 23,297, is situated southwest of Tulsa and has become Randy's favorite town along the route due to its well-maintained buildings and Route 66 attractions. Bubba inquired about Sadie Hawkins, leading to an explanation of the character's origin in the comic strip "Lil Abner" and how the tradition of Sadie Hawkins dances emerged. The conversation also touched on the Joad family from "The Grapes of Wrath" and their journey along Route 66. Tulsa Route 66 Experience Randy discussed his experience traveling through Tulsa on Route 66, noting how the city maintained better historical references to the route compared to other larger towns they had visited. He highlighted the well-preserved bridge over the Arkansas River, which now serves as a walking bridge, and the Cyrus Avery Park that celebrates the "father of Route 66." Randy shared plans to share photos from their visit, including a statue depicting the transition from horse-drawn carriages to cars, which symbolized the impact of Route 66 on small towns. Route 66 Tulsa Coverage Plans The discussion focused on Route 66 travel experiences in Tulsa and ...
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    1 h y 28 m
  • TWR Route 66 Ep 10: Oklahoma! And The Grapes Of Wrath

    TWR Route 66 Ep 10: Oklahoma! And The Grapes Of Wrath
    Mar 25 2026
    Travels With Randy Route 66 Episode 10 is here! Oklahoma! And The Grapes Of Wrath Route 66 Journey Progress Update Bubba and Randy discussed Randy's progress on his Route 66 journey, focusing on Oklahoma where he is currently traveling. They noted that Oklahoma has done a good job preserving and promoting the historical route, with 429 miles of the bike route available and minimal interstate usage. Randy mentioned that Kansas will be his next stop, where he will cover only 13 miles of Route 66 across three towns. Route 66 and Technological Displacement Bubba and Randy discussed the historical context of Route 66 and its significance in John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath," where it was referred to as the "Mother Road." They explored how advancing technology in the 1930s displaced farmers in Oklahoma, leading many to migrate to California in search of work, only to face exploitation and wage disparities. The conversation drew parallels between this historical displacement and the current impact of AI on jobs, questioning how future technological advancements might affect employment and requiring society to adapt and evolve once again. Generational Work Ethics and Route 66 Randy and Bubba discussed differences in work ethic between generations, using the movie "The Grapes of Wrath" as an example of how people in the past handled challenges without complaining. They explored Route 66, highlighting stops like Sam's Town in Eric, Oklahoma, and discussing the town's connection to Roger Miller. The conversation also touched on Bonnie and Clyde's connection to the Red River and mentioned several movies associated with Route 66, including "Easy Rider" and "Cars." Route 66 Travel Plans Discussion Randy discussed his plans to travel Route 66 again starting in September from Chicago to Santa Monica, aiming to reach Seligman by late October for a centennial celebration and signing event. He noted the different perspectives of Route 66 depending on the direction of travel and wanted to capture more sights during this new journey. The conversation also included a discussion about Sears kit homes from the 1930s, with Beth providing information about how these homes were sold through catalogs and could cost between $600 for a small cottage to a few thousand dollars for larger models. Route 66 Trip Highlights Randy shared details about their Route 66 trip, highlighting visits to Elk City's museum with its historical road grader exhibit and the well-preserved town layout. They discussed getting lost in Clinton and missing some Route 66 attractions, including a neon arch and mini golf course. Randy also described Weatherford's Space City connection to astronaut Thomas P. Stafford and the newly added 30-foot astronaut statue, though they decided not to visit the Stafford Air and Space Museum during this trip. The conversation included a brief discussion about Apollo 10's role as a dress rehearsal for the moon landing, and Randy mentioned visiting Lucille's roadhouse in Weatherford. Route 66 Journey Updates Randy shared updates about their Route 66 journey, discussing notable towns and landmarks between Weatherford and Oklahoma City, including Bridgeport's Pony Bridge, El Reno's fried onion burger, and Bethany's Southern Nazarene University. They highlighted the challenges of navigating Oklahoma City's multiple route alignments and provided guidance on following historical Route 66 signs rather than bicycle routes for a more authentic experience. The discussion also touched on the repurposing of historic sites into new businesses and included a humorous exchange about Love's Travel Stops responding to a social media post. Route 66 Travel Updates Randy discussed his recent travels along Route 66, sharing experiences from Oklahoma and plans for future trips, including a potential return visit in the fall. He mentioned meeting new people and gathering suggestions for places to visit on his return journey. Randy also explained his use of Jim and Gemini for trip planning, while Beth continues to handle podcast-related tasks and provide road information during his travels. Travel Plans and National Parks Randy and Bubba discussed their upcoming travel plans, including Randy's visit to Sam's rustic property and future plans to visit Alaska's national parks. They noted that their Facebook page, "placebook.com/travelswithrandypodcast," has grown to 32,000 followers. The conversation highlighted their original goal of visiting all 61 national parks, with Randy needing to complete 8 parks in Alaska, some of which require plane or boat transportation to access. Route 66 Travel Journey Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed Randy's Route 66 travel journey, where he's taking his time documenting the route with photos while staying in places like Cracker Barrel parking lots. Randy explained his approach of doing smaller sections of the route at a time, suggesting that listeners could start with a "there and back" trip in their own state ...
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    1 h y 29 m
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